It's those synthetic laundry musks. They hang around forever, which is what they were created to do. I'd hang the clothes outside for a day or two, if possible. Then wash them again. Eventually, the scent will go away. I don't mind laundry scents, but there are some scents that do give me a headache and make me feel nauseated, particularly scented candles and the aisles of craft stores that sell candles and candle making materials. It really bothers me. You have my sympathy.

Well, they're currently in the washing machine with vinegar instead of laundry detergent. It occurred to me that maybe they used too much detergent when washing the clothes,and using yet more detergent (though unscented) might have kept this nasty stuff from rinsing out properly.

If they still stink, I'll leave the towels outside for a while. After getting rained on and slightly mildewy, they'll wash out fine!

I'd go with the white vinegar over the apple cider vinegar. It is extremely inexpensive and makes a great all-round house cleaner for fabrics, rugs, hardwood floors, etc. I use it all the time.

After washing in vinegar, then I would hang it outside, as the vinegar has a strong smell on its own, but it is an ezymatic cleaner so it should get rid of the odor. I also use it on the rare occasion when one of my pets has an accident and it can totally eliminate the odor of dog urine because it kills the bacteria associated with the smell.

I don't normally keep white vinegar in the house because of my extreme wheat allergy, and not knowing exactly what the vinegar is fermented from or just how thoroughly it's distilled. If I could clarify that it was fermented from something else, such as corn or potato, I'd have no problem using it topically or in cleaning. Since I had a gallon jug of ACV under the bathroom sink, I used a cup of that in the wash.

I f any body wantsa good recipe to make their own i have one a la wendyl nissens book the home companion it is so easy to make i love it! 1/4 cup borax 1/2 cup washing soda crystals1/2 bar soap ( i uses a nice vegetable oil based coconut one but use whatever you like, wendyl says sunlight soap works well but not sure if you non new zealanders have that one. method; grate soap(1/2 the bar) into I Litre of water you bring up to temeperature add the borax and washing soda and stir till all dissolved. add to a bucket with 5 litres of warm water in and stir to mix, allow to cool slightly and decant ( old plastic milk bottles etc work well). shake before use as it sets to a gluggy texture and use 1/2 a cup. this stuff is so economical you can add whatever essential oils you like such as eucalyptus, manuka ( nz te tree) tea tree etc.

Half a cup for what size washing machine? And does that work in a high-efficiency machine?

I used to make my own laundry detergent, about 8 years ago or so, but I stopped because it wasn't convenient to use (I didn't have storage space in my laundry room for a large batch, and small batches meant making it too often), it didn't always "thicken up" evenly, so it was hard to use and much got wasted. I calculated out what I was spending on materials, and determined that I wasn't saving any money over using conventional detergents, especially when factoring in that the commercial stuff was effective in smaller quantities than the homemade.

It was also around that time that I discovered I could wash cloth diapers in just baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and not need to add any soap or detergent at all. I would sprinkle baking soda on the diapers in teh pail to keep down the odors, then dump the contents into the washing machine and wash on hot, no need to add soap or anything else.

My sisters and I recently had email discussions about detergent being used in our front loading washing machines. None of us like the fragrances of most of the detergents and we're all upset with our front loaders because they take so long. I decided to do some online research to see what others like to use and finally settled on Ultra Plus liquid detergent from Sears. No dyes added and no fragrance. The washes have come out beautifully clean and finally I again have clothes with that clean smell of fresh laundry. My mother had a Bendix front loader in the 1950s and it was wonderful. It didn't take as long as mine does and the sheets and pillowslips lasted forever. I think the technology of these machines does not measure up to the old Bendix. I've always liked the fact the front loaders use much less water.

My local supermarket alternates which brand is on sale, but there's almost always one brand available for $2 or less per bottle. I've found that I can tolerate any of them, as long as I get the "free and clear" version (with no added perfumes or dyes.) I've also found that they all work just fine in my machine.

make your own that way you know exactly what is it and whats not that way they will be phosphate free as well! which means alot nicer to our waterways and aquatic life .. plus this recipe makes 6 litres and that makes 48 washes for no more than $1.50 ( 1$ US) you just have to go to a bulk store for the borax and washing soda crystals.

Eco stores sell soap nuts, all natural and no smell, compost when used up and the grey water can safely water trees. I am an A+ so vinegar is an avoid and it certainly irritates me - used it to clean the shower glass and was sick the rest of the day. I have to hold my breath when I go anywhere near the detergent or even shampoo aisle at the shops esp in hayfever season - anything will set off non stop sneezing and cracker of a headache. Oh and don't even bother going to big department stores near the fragrances - my worst nightmare - sore throat and burning eyes.... and people spray this on their skin willingly, oh dear.

Eco stores sell soap nuts, all natural and no smell, compost when used up and the grey water can safely water trees. I am an A+ so vinegar is an avoid and it certainly irritates me - used it to clean the shower glass and was sick the rest of the day. I have to hold my breath when I go anywhere near the detergent or even shampoo aisle at the shops esp in hayfever season - anything will set off non stop sneezing and cracker of a headache. Oh and don't even bother going to big department stores near the fragrances - my worst nightmare - sore throat and burning eyes.... and people spray this on their skin willingly, oh dear.

Just my two cents but I have tried soap nuts and it was if I washed my clothes in plain water. Clothes didn't get clean at all...and whatever smell was already in the clothes, stayed. I usedan entire bag of soap nuts which took me quite a few months. But I see your point....Soapnuts, if you're sensitive to laundry detergent won't give off an offensive odor. I just wouldn't call it an effective laundering product.

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything.....they know how to make the best of everything!"

Just my two cents but I have tried soap nuts and it was if I washed my clothes in plain water. Clothes didn't get clean at all...and whatever smell was already in the clothes, stayed. I usedan entire bag of soap nuts which took me quite a few months. But I see your point....Soapnuts, if you're sensitive to laundry detergent won't give off an offensive odor. I just wouldn't call it an effective laundering product.

According to A & H you should not use this in an HE washer, like a front loader. I used to use it and checked with them when I got my HE machine.

Good to know. I have a HE front load washer, but I actually use Arm and Hammer Washing soda to wash my tile floors. I just know it's good to remove odors. My dog has often puked on thekitchen floor and it got into the grout...Washing soda and water removed odor and stain...And it's awesome to clean stainless steel. I've used it to remove mildew stains on outdoor furniture...so it's very versatile.. My favorite laundry detergent is Mrs. Meyers...and I don't need or use Arm and Hammer soda with it.

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything.....they know how to make the best of everything!"

Just found out yesterday that when I get really sensitive to smell it's during migraine. Extra sensitivity to sound, light and smell can occur with migraine. Worth checking if you get them too, working out triggers and avoiding them. Perfume on others or clothes is one thing that's hard to avoid tho.